Trip South

Irish Mist · 11-24-2016, 04:05 AM

Well my first trip with the fifer and thought I would share. I have 2013 dodge Ram Diesel 4X4 non dually. My average milage from Orillia Ontario to Florida City was 14.2 MPG..It looks like the fifth wheel cost about 10 MPG to tow. I wanted to just say that most of the time it was hard to tell there was even a trailer back there.. I am sure a dually adds something helpful but for those trying to decide if a non dually will be ok, I can say yes. When I tow the boat it is on a non fifth wheel trailer and weighs in around 16,000 lbs. So heaver then the fifth wheel but what a difference towing with a fifth wheel hook up. I do not have consumption for the DEF fluid but if I had to guess Maybe $5.00 so DEF is really a non issue.
I have to say warmer is better

xrated · 11-24-2016, 05:59 AM

Just curious, what was your average speed while towing?

bsmith0404 · 11-24-2016, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrated

Just curious, what was your average speed while towing?

I was curious about that too, most guys I know with newer Rams don't get anywhere near that kind of fuel mileage. Did you run km/h instead of mph?

As for the size of your TV, I would tend to agree that you're good with a 2500, probably on the upper limit of it's payload capability. I used to tow a similar size unit with a 2500 Silverado. If you went any bigger, you'd be getting into 3500/dually territory. And yes, warmer IS better!

Irish Mist · 11-24-2016, 08:38 AM

I'm a slow poke due to my nervous GF beside me

Actually the last two years I have been driving at 55 and I really enjoy it.. no stress and never have to slow down.. . It is definitely MPG I only get around 10 with the boat .. I have a feeling going home won't be as good as I will be leaving at sea level instead of coming down to sea level. Through Georgia my average climbed to 14.9 , but dropped as I got into Florida.

**JRTJH** · 11-24-2016, 10:23 AM

Are you reporting the actual miles travelled and gallons used or are you reporting the "very boastful" in dash computer readings? On my truck (a Ford) the actual MPG is about 15-20% more on the truck system than when I do the calculations using "real data" from the odometer and sales receipts.

I don't know if all the systems are the same, but every Ford I've ever had with an "onboard trip computer" has never been accurate.

Most of us don't see much difference in MPG figures between a 10K and a 13K load but do see a decrease in MPG based on the frontal area of the trailer and the towing speed. It appears that the more wind resistance and the faster we tow the lower the MPG. Weight doesn't affect the MPG nearly as much.

Irish Mist · 11-24-2016, 01:36 PM

Just using the computer.. I have never checked it against actuals but I will on the next trip . With me the biggest differance with towing the boat is this unit is pretty flat all around the boat is a Ranger Tug so it is a mess as far as the wind goes.. probably if I shrink wrapped it it would do better. But I was pleastly surprised with the savings this had over the boat.

bsmith0404 · 11-24-2016, 02:32 PM

The newer GMs seem to be pretty accurate with the computer. My 2011 is usually with .5 mpg to hand calculating. My dad's 2006 is typically off about 2 mpg. I know the Fords are still suspect, nit sure on the Dodge.

Tbos · 11-24-2016, 03:55 PM

My 2014 Silverado 1500's on board computer is very close to actuals using mileage and gallons. Last time I checked it was within .1.

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xrated · 11-24-2016, 05:56 PM

I just can't make myself drive 55 in a 70 MPH zone....but that's just me. I'm OK with 65 to 70, but my time is important too. I knew my mileage would go down some when I bought the T.H., as compared to a 7' x 16' v nose that I had for hauling the race bikes, but it has only gone from roughly 12.5 down to around 9.5 to 10....I'm OK with that for as tall as the new trailer is compared to the old trailer.

Alpine · 11-24-2016, 07:57 PM

Getting upwards of 70,000 miles of towing and the average has been in the 10/10.5 MPG. These figures are from the "on board read-out!" If it could be worse....maybe I don't wanna know!

LoL

chris199 · 11-25-2016, 04:03 PM

IMHO....Driving 55 in a 65 to 75 mph zone may be easier to drive...no slowing down....but it is definitely a hazard to others on the road. That type of driver causes chaos behind them...and most times they don't even notice the danger they cause.

**chuckster57** · 11-25-2016, 09:39 PM

Out here there are speed limits on the highway that state max speed towing is 55. Only hazard I see ( and see it daily) is drivers too busy being in a hurry, and using their dumb phones.

I tow at about 60 MPH, and rudeness is met with 153Db of train horns.

gearhead · 11-26-2016, 05:40 AM

I never heard of a Ranger Tug. I thought maybe Ranger bass boat with a spelling error!
I Googled it.
Jeez man, what kind of trailer is under that monster? LOL
And you're pulling it with what?
edit add: After looking at the pics, I checked the specifications. Not as massive as I assumed.
Very interesting boats.
Which model is yours?

Irish Mist · 11-26-2016, 05:49 AM

Chuckster you are right... most areas are posted for trucks and towing 55 And yes lots of campers in a hurry. I stay in the right lane and see lots of really bad drivers.. and nothing to do with how fast I am going These guys are tailgating everyone .. no signals and darting in and out as far as I can see them.. If you want to go fast just stay in the left lane and you will miss me. It's not like I'm a little sports car going slow.. I'm pretty sure everyone sees me from a ways back and all have lots of time to change lanes.. If they are paying attention..I like to leave lots of pavement between me and the next guy so I don't get caught in the panic stops as well.. I like going fast when not towing and I come across lots of slower vehicles.. but I have never had an issue going around them and I also let them in when I see their signal..You can drive fast without be aggressive..

Irish Mist · 11-26-2016, 05:54 AM

Gearhead .. mine is an 2011 R29.. yea they are different

Not for everyone My tri axle weighs in at 2500 before I put the boat on .. I use the same truck to pull it. Does fine but not as good as the fifer

It's a wide load due to 10ft beam.. flags and permits... this is a lot easier

gearhead · 11-26-2016, 06:06 AM

Those are cool boats. Another of my fantasies...that style boat touring inland rivers and the ICW. I have a cousin that built a Panga style with a single diesel. Works well offshore Gulf of Mexico cruising to Mexico.
Front AND rear thrusters, well done!

chris199 · 11-26-2016, 07:43 AM

I also drive conservatively. Never over 65 mph....even in 70 mph or 75 mph zone. Like also to leave room up front. Have never seen a 55 towing or trucking limit (other than in a construction zone...usually 45 mph though) but we generally travel up/down the east coast...as far West as Tenn. and Mich. Maybe those towing limits are a West coast thing where there is more congestion and people are accustomed to it and expect it. That would be 100% understandable and I'd likely do the same thing and keep it to 55 mph if that's the posted limit for my rig. On the east coast, however, in "the country" away from any cities where the speed limits are higher and the traffic under normal conditions is spread out....going 55 mph when speed limit in a 70 or 75 mph for 4 wheelers and trucks can/does create a hazard....just too much of a speed differential that causes unnecessary and unsafe congestion that could be avoided. I had to do it when breaking in my truck for towing. What..500 miles at no more than 55 mph? I was a danger to others. Generally, if there's any traffic, the backup is chaotic and extended....then you get to the source and it's a very slow driver. I just ran with my 4 ways on or got off the interstate and drove the highways that parallel the interstates. I had to do that when breaking in my truck engines. Those pre-interstate highways make a good leisurely drive....just had to be sure to use a good rv GPS for height limitations.

concours · 11-26-2016, 09:19 AM

We made the trip down from BC to Southern California via Yuma and our actual calculated mileage was 11.1 which was the same as the dash computer. We drive a 60 mph 100 KPH which gives good mileage and the police don"t bother us in the 55 zones

Desert185 · 11-26-2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Mist

Just using the computer.. I have never checked it against actuals but I will on the next trip . With me the biggest differance with towing the boat is this unit is pretty flat all around the boat is a Ranger Tug so it is a mess as far as the wind goes.. probably if I shrink wrapped it it would do better. But I was pleastly surprised with the savings this had over the boat.

My Dodge registers 24-26 MPG when using the trip computer and 20-21 MPG when hand calculated. All this with actual tire diameter in the computer/ABS system verified with a tuner.

RK1978 · 12-04-2016, 06:16 PM

I have had a lot of years running big trucks and about a year pulling our Hideaway 26BH trailer and have not EVER seen a problem caused by people running 60 or so on the interstates. The problems come from the careless, distracted, and selfish drivers that fail to leave a zone of protection all around them. My old truck (96 K2500 6.5TD) does fine at about 60 unless we hit strong headwinds. Usual mileage towing is about 10, headwinds will take that down 1-3 mpg. (all calculated from fuel/odometer logs). Never have gotten over about 7 with big truck (05 Pete 379-Cat C15 450 hp-13 sp) and have often done less when doing short hauls out of quarries or fields.

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